Fin radiator



March 6, 1934. e. T. JACOCKS FIN RADIATOR Filed Jan. 6, 1932 Patented Mar. 6, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to improvements inradiators of the fin type, more particularly to a specific arrangement of the fins.

Fin radiators while usually more compact than ordinary cast iron radiators, nevertheless do not present a pleasing appearance and when used for dwellings are usually concealed.

Radiators of the fin type are being more widely used in dwelling houses, and it is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved, highly efficient fin radiator, as well as one that will present a finished and attractive appearance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fin radiator assembly which will be inexpensive to manufacture and at the same time be highly efficient.

With these and other objects in view the improved radiator of the present invention comprises an assembly of similar units in series in fluid tight engagement, each unit comprising an annular spacer band and an annular fin of relatively thin metal.

These and other features and objects will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a broken horizontal view partly in section looking down on a radiator constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged broken sectional view of a modified form of certain elements of the radiator construction.

Referring to the drawing, the radiator com- 35 prises a series of tongued and grooved rings 2 of substantial width and thickness, alternating with a series of relatively thin metal fins 4 of annular form. The fins and rings are assembled in compressed fiuid tight arrangement between end pieces 6 and 8 and held securely in such position by means of a bolt 10 passing through the center portion of the assembly. A heating medium such as steam or hot water may be passed into the radiator through an inlet pipe 12, while any condensate or cooled medium may be withdrawn through an outlet 14.

Each of the annular spacing and coupling members 2 is provided with a groove 16 on one side or face and with a tongue 18 on its opposite face. The face of the end piece 6 is also provided with a tongue 18 for engagement with the groove 16 of the first ring 2. End piece 8 is grooved the same as the rings 2 for engagement with the last ring 2. The rings 2 may be cut from seamless steel, brass or iron pipe of suitable thickness.

The annular fins 4 preferably have a generally rectangular outside form and may be pressed to fit the tongue and groove form of elements 2. The fins which are usually made of thin copper, copper alloy, aluminum or other preferably noncorrosive sheet metal of high heat conductivity; are projected into the space inside the rings 2 so that heat may be conducted directly to the radiating surface of the fins. The metal of the fins may be pressed so as to extend over the inner surface of the rings 2 as at 20. The side edges of each fin are bent to form a semicircular channel as at 22 so that the edge sets onto a shoulder 24 on the next adjacent fin. The arrangement of the fins in this manner gives an attractive looking (0 radiator and at the same time, byleaving the space between the fins open at top and bottom to form fiues, provides a very effective circulation of air or other medium to be heated.

Therefore, in using the improved radiator in 76 dwelling houses it will be unnecessasry to provide an enclosure or to conceal the radiator in the wall of the building. The edges or bends 22 may be made in any desired artistic design to give an effective appearance to the sides of 80 the radiator.

The modified form of construction illustrated in Fig. 2 showsthe use of rings 2 of bevelled lap form. Rings of this section are particularly advantageous for securing atight joint between fins and rings when the assembly is pressed or drawn together. The bevels on the rings 2 shown in Fig. 2 may be cut so that the space between them will be less than at the square portions of the ring faces, thus providing a means to squeeze the fin between the bevel faces with a force considerably greater than the longitudinal force applied in assembling the radiator.

It is to be understood that the radiator described and as illustrating the features of the present invention, may be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Particularly it is to be understood that the radiator is a heat exchanger and may be employed as such in any position in which heat exchange is involved. A cooling medium may be introduced through the pipe 12 instead of a heating medium when it is desired to cool the air or other medium passed around the fins.

The outside shape of the fins may be made elliptical or in any other convenient shape. A bowed side gives a pleasing appearance and at the same time strengthens the structure against distortion in the event the side of the radiator is accidentally hit by some object. The fins may be made substantially wider than the fins in ordinary fin radiators because they project into the heating medium, and conduct the heat directly to the radiating surface of the fins.

Having thus described the invention in its preferred form, what is claimed as newis:

1. A fin type radiator, comprising a plurality of similar units assembled in series to form a fin radiator section having a substantially central conduit for the passage of a heating medium, each unit including a metal ring spacer-coupler and an annular fin of relatively thin metal extending to said conduit having a perimeter substantially rectangular in form and having two opposite turned edges,- a shoulder along each turned edge of each fin on the line where the fin is turned or bent, said fins being assembled in said sections so that the turned edge of each fin, except the last, rests on the shoulder of the next adjacent fin, whereby two opposite sides of said section present a closed appearance.

2. A heat exchanger of the fin type, comprising a plurality of similar units assembled in series, to form a fin heat exchange section having a substantially central conduit for the passage of a heating or cooling medium, each unit ineluding a tongued and grooved metal spacer ring and an annular fin of relatively thin metal extending to said conduit and having two sectional lengths of its perimeter on opposite sides of said conduit turned at an angle of about 90 degrees, said fins being assembled in said heat exchange section so that the turned perimeter of each fin, except the last, touches the next adjacent fin along its turned perimeter, whereby fiues are formed on opposite sides of said conduit and the corresponding outsides of said assembled fin heat exchange section present substantially continuous surfaces.

3. A heat exchanger of the fin type, comprising a plurality of similar units assembled together in series to form a heat exchange section having a substantially central conduit .for the passage of a heating or cooling medium, each unit including a metal spacer-coupler ring and a fin extending between adjacent rings to said conduit and adapted to contact the medium therein, and fiues on a side of said'conduit, said fiues being formed by said fins and an outer metal closure means for said side.

4. A fin type heat exchanger, comprising a plurality of similar units assembled in fluid tight engagement and in series to form a heat exchanger having a substantially central conduit for the passage of a heating or cooling medium,

each unit including a metal ring of substantial 7 width and thickness provided on each side with a bevelled section, and a relatively thin metal fin extending to said conduit between adjacent rings.

5. A fin type heat exchanger, comprising a plurality of similar units assembled in fluid tight engagement and in series to form a heat exchanger having a substantially central conduit for the passage of a heating or cooling medium, each unit including a metal ring of substantial width and thickness provided on each side with a beveled section and a relatively thin metal fin extending into said conduit between adjacent rings and extending a short distance along said conduit, and fiues on a side of said conduit, said fiues being formed by said fins and metal closure means along the outer portion of said fins along said side. GEORGE T. JACOCKS. 

